From 22nd to 24th May the Vesuvio Gravel, event that in just two editions has managed to carve out an important space for itself in the Italian panorama of bikepacking. More than just a demonstration gravel, the one organized by Napoli Pedala wants to be above all a great journey across the sea (Opening photo by Giovanni Mandelli) to inland Campania, capable of combining cycle tourism, discovery of the territory and adventure. Registrations will remain open until May 17th, So we're almost there. The participation fee is 54 euros, but you can also register for individual stages for 20 euros.
Starting and finishing on the shores of Lake Averno, in Pozzuoli, Vesuvius Gravel offers a ring of over 360 kilometers and more than 4.000 meters of altitude difference, can be traveled independently by bike gravel, mountain bike or e-bikeNo stopwatch, no ranking and no maximum time: just a GPS track to follow and the desire to slowly cross a different Campania from that told by traditional tourist circuits.
Track confirmed
"It's not a race," explains the organizer, Luca Simeone, "but a personal challenge. Vesuvius Gravel wants to be an authentic travel experience, slow and immersive. You pedal through extraordinary territories, but above all you come into contact with the people who live in those territories."
Following the success of the previous edition , the 2026 route was only partially revised. "About 70 percent of the route remained the same because we loved it too ," says Simeone. "However, we tried to refine some sections, make them smoother, and above all, further strengthen the connection with the local area."
The hospitality of the villages
This effort, according to the organizers, has generated a surprising response from the small towns we pass through. "We're receiving a touching welcome ," she continues. "The villages are inviting us to stop by, opening their Pro Loco offices, and organizing refreshments. We immediately build empathy with the people who live in these places. It's a wonderful way to get to know Campania."
The journey will begin on May 21st with the opening of base camp at Giardino dell'Orco, on Lake Averno. Here, participants will check in, have a technical briefing, receive their event pack, and enjoy a welcome dinner. The actual trail will begin the following day, divided into three stages of approximately 130 kilometers each.
Between Teano and Caserta
The first stage will take you from Pozzuoli to Pietravairano, crossing the Phlegraean Fields, the Caserta area and sections of the Southern Via Francigena. «One of the most beautiful passages is the entrance to the Francigena in the Teano area – explains Simeone – There we are in the gravel pure, quite technically challenging, with ups and downs, woods and the charm of the Roccamonfina volcano behind". The route will also touch the Lake Falciano and the village of Casamostra, Participants will be welcomed at the historic washhouse along the Via Francigena. This will transform the trail into a truly cultural as well as sporting journey.
The second stage will connect Pietravairano to Cervinara, passing through Norman villages, Capua, Casertavecchia, and the Taburno and Partenio regions. One of the most spectacular sections will be the passage over the hills of San Leucio, above the Royal Palace of Caserta. "There are some really beautiful single tracks there. You pedal immersed in nature, and then suddenly the view opens up, with the Royal Palace below, Vesuvius behind, and the Gulf in the background."
Conclusion with Vesuvius
The third stage will perhaps be the most symbolic. From Cervinara, the route will return to Pozzuoli, crossing the ancient Roman Serino aqueduct, Naples, Posillipo, and finally Vesuvius. And it is precisely this section of the aqueduct that Simeone considers the heart of the entire event.
"We'll ride for about 25 kilometers beneath the Serino aqueduct, a two-thousand-year-old structure that still brings water to Naples ," he explains. "It's a stretch completely immersed in chestnut woods, with almost no human intervention. For us Campanians, it's something very special." Then, inevitably, Vesuvius will arrive. "I haven't mentioned the final climb up the volcano because, as they say in the movies, it's worth the price of admission alone," Simeone jokes.
Approach to Bikepacking
Vesuvius Gravel It also confirms its international vocation. Many are expected participants from various Italian regions and around ten foreign cyclists. There is also a growing presence of women and those who use trail running as an opportunity to get closer to the bikepacking.
"There are people who come from far away and who were already present at the first edition, which we held in a single day," he recalls. "After all, when you leave a good memory, people come back. And that's probably the greatest satisfaction."
